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The Sweet anti Touching Talc of

FLEUR &
BLANCHEFLEUR

T/ie Szveet and Touching Tale of

FLEUR &
BLANCHEFLEUR

A Mediaeval Legend Translated from

the French by Mrs, Leighton, with

Thirty-seven Coloured Illustrations by

Eleanor Fortescue Brickdale

PUBLISHED IN LONDON BY
DANIEL O^CONNOR, AT 90 GREAT
RUSSELL STREET, W.C.i. 1922

:iOii'S

l^7>

603141

The Srveet and Touching Tale of

FLEUR & BLANCHEFLEUR

Chapter I

IT is recorded by ancient chronicles that in the year of grace
624 a certain heathen King of Spain, Fenis by name, whose
Queen was also a heathen, crossed over the sea with a mighty
host into Christendom, and there, in the space of three days,
made such havoc of the land, with destruction of towns,
churches, and cloisters, that for full thirty miles from the shore
where he had landed, not a human being or habitation was left
to show where happy homes had been. Moreover, this King
Fenis, while lading his ships with the booty thus ill-got, posted
forty of his men in ambush over against the highway, there to
lie in wait for any pilgrims who might pass by; and when
presently a weary pilgrim band was seen toihng down the steep
slope of a mountain nigh at hand, the forty thieves rushed out
upon the pilgrims and threatened them with death, to escape
which they readily parted with their goods ; one only of the band
showed fight, and he was a Count of France, conducting his
daughter, a new-made widow, to the shrine of St. James at
Compostella, where she had vowed to offer up prayer for her
lord, lately slain in battle.

Bravely this Count fought, but all in vain, for, overborne
by numbers, he was killed, and his daughter carried a captive
to the heathen King Fenis, who, straightway taking ship, sailed
back to Spain, and, when King Fenis was come home again, he
divided the spoil among his soldiery, giving a portion to each
man according to his rank ; but the Christian lady he bestowed
upon his Queen, who, long desirous of such an attendant, re-
ceived her gladly into the royal apartments, suffering her to

6 THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

retain her Christian creed: in return for this kindness, the
captive lady did good service, waiting faithfully both late and
early on the Queen, and giving her instruction in the French
tongue. Moreover, by her gentleness, wisdom, and discretion,y
this Christian captive won all hearts in the heathen court. ^
Now it happened that on Palm Sunday after these things the
Queen gave birth to a lovelv bov, whom the learned heathen

masters, because he was born in the season of flowers, named
Fleur;* and on that same Palm Sunday the Christian captive
lady bore a daughter, whom with her own hands she baptized,
giving her the name of Blanchefleur.

* More correctly ' Floire.'

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR 7

At the birth of his son, King Fenis rejoiced, and made great
festivities ; also he commanded that the infant should be nursed
by a heathen, but brought up by the Christian captive, who, thus
being charged with both children, tended them with such loving
care that she scarce knew which was dearest to her, the King's
son or her own daughter. So tended, the two children grew
to be the sweetest and loveliest ever seen, and such was the love
that they bore each one to the other that they could not endure
to be parted.

THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

Chapter II

WHEN some time had passed and King Fenis marked that
the intelHgence of his son was now beginning to awake, he
called the child to him and said: ' Fleur, now must you go dili-
gently to school and learn of the wise Master Gaidon.' But for
all answer to this command Fleur burst into tears, crying out:

'Father! neither reading, writing, nor aught else will I learn,
except I have Blanchefleur to be my fellow scholar.' To this the
king consented, so the two children with great joy went hand in
hand to school, and there by mutual aid and encouragement so

lO

THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

quickly acquired the rudiments of learning that in no long time
they were able to exchange love letters, which, being written in
the Latin tongue, were not understood by the other scholars.
The tender love which, thus growing with their growth, knit
the hearts of these two children together, began, however, to
cause displeasure to the King, who, fearing lest it should tend to
thwart his plan of wedding his son to a royal bride, determined
to part the two, if by fair means — well! if not, then by Blanche-
fleur's death; but the Queen, in dread that her son might die of
grief, pled with her lord to spare Blanchefleur, saying: 'Sir!
rather command Master Gaidon, under pretext of failing health,
to give up his charge. Thus shall occasion be made for sending
Fleur to school at IVIontorio, where my aunt is Duchess, and

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

II

among the many high-born maidens there assembled, haply he
may find another love.'

To this plan the King consented, yet found not in it the
help he hoped ; for, on hearing that he was to go to Montorio,
leaving his Blanchefleur at home to tend her mother, who, like
Master Gaidon, was commanded to feign herself sick, Fleur
became so frantic with grief that, to calm his transports, the
King and Queen were fain to promise that, in two weeks' time,
Blanchefleur should follow him to Montorio.

Somewhat comforted by this promise, Fleur took a tender
farewell of his love, whom he fondly kissed and embraced in
the presence of her mother and his own father.

King Fenis, though by no means best pleased with his son's
deportment, yet sent him nobly equipped and provided to Mon-
torio, where, on arrival, Fleur was warmly welcomed by Duke
Toras, the Duchess, and their daughter Sibylla, and, when re-
covered from the fatigue of travel, was by Sibylla conducted to

12

THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

13

school, where many a fair and noble damsel was to be seen. All
was in vain : no matter what of beauty or of loveliness might
meet his eye or strike his ear, the thoughts of Fleur were ever
and only with his Blanchefleur, for whose sake he heaved many
a sigh and dropped many a tear against the day appointed for her
coming; and when it came and brought her not, because his
parents trusted that she was now forgotten, Fleur drooped and
pined; unable, from heaviness of heart, to eat, drink, or sleep ;
and when his chamberlain saw that Fleur was sick he hasted
back to tell King Fenis, who, calling for his Queen, took counsel
with her on the matter. ' What remedy there be for Fleur I
know not,' said the King, ' but this thing I know full well, that
Blanchefleur has cast a spell upon him, and by enchantment has
bound him so fast in love to her that he can look on none other
than herself; so go, fetch me Blanchefleur, that she may die
and be forgotten.'

Once more did the Queen plead for Blanchefleur's life.

14

THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

'Sir,' said she, 'it is ill said that Blanchefleur has bewitched
our child, for she loves him with a love that passes words, and
has known no joy since he departed, but sits alone in tears and
sorrow, refusing to eat.'

Thus did the Queen save Blanchefleur from a cruel death, and
thus did she further counsel her lord: 'Ah, sir!' said she,

' 'twere sin and shame to slay the child thus untried and un-
heard; better far, let her be taken to the harbour, and there
sold away into distant lands and never be heard of more.'

Approving the counsel of his Queen, King Fenis sent for two
rich merchants, and bade them take Blanchefleur and sell her
to foreign traders at the harbour of Nicasa, which they promised
faithfully to do.

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

IS

When dismissed from the presence of the King and Queen,
these two merchants hastened to the port of Nicaea, and, out
of the many foreign traders who there bought and sold, chose
two rich dealers from a distant land, who purchased Blanche-
fleur at a price that caused the vendors to rejoice, for these men
gave 100 pounds of gold, loo of silver, loo webs of Indian silk,
ICG scarlet mantles, loo good horses, and 300 birds, such as fal-
cons, hawks, and sparrow-hawks: last and greatest of all, they
gave a cup matchless in beauty and beyond all price. Vulcan
had made this cup, and on it he had pictured how Paris, son of

Priam, king in Troy, had carried off Helena, and was pursued
in wrath by Menelaus, Helena's lord, together with his brother
Agamemnon, at the head of a mighty host; and how the Greeks
besieged and stormed Troy town, which the Trojans for their
part defended, and when the city was taken, v^ineas brought
away the cup and gave it to a brother of his love Lavinia.

1 6 THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

When the purchase was completed, these traders led Blanche-
fleur away to Babylon, and offered her for sale to its Admiral,
whom she pleased so well that he bought her for ten times her
weight in gold from these merchants, who, well pleased with
the price bestowed, departed after thanks given to the Admiral,
who, judging from her great beauty and rich attire that his new
purchase must come of noble race, resolved to break his rule of
oft-repeated marriage by plighting his troth once and for all to
her and her alone. With this intent accordingly he sent Blanche-
fleur to the women's tower, appointing twenty-five maidens for
her service and solace, seeing that she was ere long to be crowned
Queen of Babylon.

No sooner, however, did Blanchefleur, a helpless stranger in a
distant land, find herself in a chamber alone and undisturbed,
than, giving way to tears and lamentations, she cried, 'Alas,
Fleur ! who has torn us asunder ? Never shall I cease to love
and mourn you, for well know I that your heart is rent with the
same pangs of love and grief, and that we both must surely die,
for without love who would consent to live ?'

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR 17

Chapter III

NOW, leaving Blanchefleur thus bewailing herself at Babylon,
let us return to King Fenis and his Queen. On receiving at
the hands of the two merchants the goodly treasure paid as
Blanchefleur 's price, King Fenis was well pleased, but not so the
Queen, who in trouble of spirit cried, ' Now must we take good
heed what we do, lest Fleur our son die of grief.' King Fenis
accordingly, after taking thought upon the matter, caused a tomb
of exceeding beauty to be made, of ivory, of marble, and of
crystals, and in the tomb was set a coffin, and on the coffin were
figured in gold the images of two children in the likeness of Fleur
and Blanchefleur; on the head of each child was a crown of gold,
and in that of Fleur was set a carbuncle that sparkled bright by
night as in the day. Moreover, long pipes were laid down,
which, catching the wind as it blew, caused the children to
fondle and embrace each other as though in sport and play, and
when the wind ceased they stood still, each one proffering to the
other the flowers it held, and all seemed natural as life itself.

Never had maiden a costlier tomb, for it was encrusted with
precious gems, such as sapphires, chalcedonies, amethyst, topaz,
turquoise, jasper, chrysolite, diamond, and jacinth ; also in letters
of gold it bore this inscription :

' Here lies Blanchefleur, who loved young Fleur
with tender love and true.'

i8

THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

WHO LOVED YoVNGr P L£V/< WITH
TENDER LOVEMNDTRVE

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR 19

When all things were now ready, King Fenis, bidding his
people beware for their lives of breathing a word to the effect
that Blanchefleur, being yet alive, was not buried in this tomb,
sent to Montorio, bidding his son return home. Joyfully did
Fleur, all unknowing what had passed, obey the summons, and
when, after greeting and salutation offered to his parents, he asked
for Blanchefleur, and no man dared to answer him, he ran to her
mother's chamber and asked where was Blanchefleur, whom he
had left there.

' Fleur,' said the mother, ' I know not where she is.'

'Mock me not,' cried he, 'but say where is she whom for
these three long weeks I have not seen ?'

Then said the lady, 'Blanchefleur is dead and buried.'

At these words spoken Fleur fell stunned and senseless as
though from a heavy blow, and the mother in her terror gave
a cry, which, being heard throughout the court, brought the King
and Queen running in, to behold with horror and dismay their
child stretched lifeless on the ground.

When at length Fleur came to himself, neither prayers nor
threats availed to calm the violence of his grief, but when he
begged to see his beloved's tomb, the Queen his mother led him
by the hand to the vault where she was supposed to lie ; and, when
Fleur read the golden letters that told how Blanchefleur lay within
the tomb, he thrice fell fainting on it, and when at length his
spirit came again, he cried, kneeling upon the tomb, 'Alas, my
Blanchefleur ! why have you forsaken me r We who lived and
loved, should we not have died together.? Woe, woe is me thus
left without my love; Oh, cruel Death, to take my dear away!
Why tarry now } come, take my life, or I myself will take it, and
so pass to those bright fields of light where dwells the soul of
Blanchefleur amid the flowers!'

After this lament Fleur arose, and drawing a golden stilus
from its case, he said, ' This stilus, her parting gift, and all now

20

THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

left to me of Blanchefleur, shall be my comfort by taking me
from a world in which without her I cannot bear to live.' So
savine, Fleur would have stabbed himself to the heart with the
golden stilus, but the Queen his mother tore it from his hand,
crying : ' What madness were it to lose your life for love ! Be well
assured that never thus could you come to Blanchefleur in her
flowery meads ; rather would you be sent to dwell in eternal grief
and pain with Pyramus and Thisbe, who for a like offence were
condemned to seek forever the comfort that they shall never
find in love: take heart, therefore, my child, for I have skill to
call your Blanchefleur back to life.'

After these words spoken to Fleur, the Queen, in sore trouble of
spirit, sought her lord the King, and showing to him the golden
stilus, said, 'Sir, take pity on your child, for with this golden

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR 21

stilus he had done himself to death but for my staying hand ;
and, sir, were he,'our only child, to die, bethink you how grievous
would be our loss ! Say then, sir, what think you were best to
do ?' To the entreaties of his Queen, King Fenis thus made
reply: 'Tell Fleur to be comforted, seeing that his Blanchefleur
lives.'

Glad at heart to be bearer of such a message, the Queen
hasted to her son, and, taking him apart, she said to the sorrowing
Fleur, 'Weep no more, but know the truth; your love lies not
in the tomb.'

Then, opening the coffin and showing to him its emptiness,
the Queen told all to Fleur : how she and the King his father
had sent him to Montorio, that there he might forget his Blanche-
fleur, a Christian and a slave, and choose in her stead a heathen
bride of royal race, and how, finding him still faithful, King
Fenis could have slain Blanchefleur, but, yielding to his Queen's
entreaties, had spared her life and sold her for much gold into
distant lands.

Then, standing before that empty grave, Fleur rejoiced with
exceeding joy, and vowed a vow that he would go forth and
search through the wide world till he found his love or died in
the attempt.

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

23

Chapter IV

WHEN Fleur had thus learned all the truth, he left the
empty tomb and sought his father, saying, ' Father, let me
go forth into the wide world to seek my Blanchefleur, for till she
is found I can know neither peace nor joy.' Hearing these words
from his son, King Penis was sorely troubled, cursing in his
heart the day on which he had sold Blanchefleur, whom now he
would fain have bought back ten pounds dearer than he sold
her, did he but know where she was to be found.

'Abide with me, O Fleur, my son!' pleaded the King, 'and
I will wed you to a royal bride!'

24

THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

' Not so, my father !' Fleur replied ; ' for there lives no woman
upon earth that I can love save Blanchefleur, and her alone; so
be content to let me go!'

' If needs must, then go,' said King Fenis, yielding to his son's
desire, ' and I will make provision of all things needful for your
journey.'

' 'Twere best,' said Fleur, ' for me to travel as a merchant ; so
give me, I pray you, twelve mules, three laden with skins, three
with coin of the realm, two with costly apparel of silk, velvet and
scarlet, and the other four with furs. Give me also twelve mule-
teers to lead the mules, and twelve men-at-arms to be my guard ;
likewise one of your stewards, and a chamberlain of wisdom and
discretion; last of all, send with me the two merchants, who,
having sold Blanchefleur into distant lands, will best know how
and where to seek her.'

At the thought and talk of parting the King wept sore, yet

FLEVR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

25

gave to his son according to his desire, adding thereto a palfrey,

richly caparisoned; and when Fleur, wearing golden spurs,

was mounted on the palfrey and

would be gone, his mother came

to say farewell, and gave him as

her parting gift a ring, which

she bade him ever wear, for the

fair gem set in this golden ring

had magic power toward off hurt

from foe, or fire, or water, or of

wild beasts, nor while he wore it

could any man refuse him aught

he asked : so Fleur, with heartfelt

thanks to his mother for so great a

gift, put the ring upon his finger.

Then came good-bye, said with

D

26

THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

sorrow sore and deep on either side, more especially by father and
mother, who with sinking hearts thrice kissed their son, well
knowing that they should see his face no more.

Thus provided and equipped with loving care did Fleur ride
forth into the w'ide world in quest of Blanchefleur, steadfastly
purposing to find her or perish in the quest; and, having left his
home, he rode with all his train to the seaport of Nicaea, where
Blanchefleur had been sold, and when come there he took his
lodgings in the house of a rich man, who nobly entertained his
guest ; but Fleur, thinking only of his love, sate dolefully at table,
scarce knowing what or if he ate, and this his mournful mien
being perceived by the hostess, she bade her husband mark it
too, saying, 'Master, see you how sad and thoughtful is that

young man who sits and sighs ? He calls himself a merchant,
but I misdoubt me what may be the wares he seeks!' Then
turning to Fleur himself this hostess said, 'Young sir, in sitting
thus sad and silent, and keeping fast where a feast is spread ; like-
wise, in age, mien, and bearing, you recall to my remembrance a
fair maiden who no long time ago was here, and sate sighing as

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR 27

you now do. Her name was Blanchefleur, and Fleur the name
of him she mourned, and for whose sake she was brought to this
port of Nic£ea and sold for a great price to merchants who were
leading her away to Babylon, there, as they hoped, to sell her
again at double the price they gave.'

At the sound of Blanchefleur's name Fleur answered not,
but for very bewilderment of joy overturned the wine-cup before
him with his knife. When somewhat come to himself, he drew
from his stores a golden cup and offered it to the hostess, saying,
'Accept this cup as payment, both for the wine which has been
spilt and for the tidings you have given of my lost Blanchefleur;'
and when the hostess had thanked him, Fleur arose and went
to the harbour, and there hired a ship in which to sail to Babylon ;
and when the ship was ready he and his servants, and all that
they had, embarked in it, and sailed on and on till they came to
a city called Bagdad ; and at Bagdad they landed, and took up their
abodewith a rich man, who set the best of everything before them ;
but though Fleur sate at the table, his thoughts were far away
with his lost love.

'Sir,' said the host, marking the dejection of his guest, 'why
do you not eat .'' Is the fare not to your taste ?' And when Fleur
answered not to his inquiries, the host continued, 'Young sir,
give ear to me ! I will tell you somewhat to distract your thoughts.
No long time ago some merchants came to this house to spend
the night, and with them they brought a maiden, who for fair-
ness of face and sorrow of heart resembled you, for she sate
weeping, and would neither eat nor drink, and by those of her
company she was called Blanchefleur.'

' Sir host !' cried Fleur with altered mien, ' can you not tell me
more ? Marked you not what road the travellers took on
leaving you ?'

'Young sir,' replied the host, 'they took the road to Babylon.'

Then Fleur arose, and brought from his store a golden cup

28

THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

and a scarlet mantle. 'Take these,' said he to the host, 'as my
gift, but keep your thanks for Blanchefleur, who reigns within
my heart.'

Well pleased with such a lordly gift, the host wished his guest
God-speed and good-luck to find his love.

Supper over, the company retired to rest, and at the morrow's
early dawn Fleur himself awoke his chamberlain and bade him
rouse their people, as he would be up and away; so when all
was ready they set forth, guided through the city by their host,
and when he had set them on the right way, they rode on and on
till they came to a great river, and saw on its farther side a city,
Montfehs by name; and here was no bridge, but only a horn
hanging on a cypress tree for those to blow who would call the
ferryman.

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

29

So Fleur blew the horn, which
being heard in Montfelis, pre-
sently a large boat appeared in
which the servants and baggage
were ferried across the river,
but the master ferryman took
Fleur alone in a little boat.

' Young sir,' said the boatman,
marking the doleful bearing of
his passenger, 'whither go you
and what seek you in this land ?'

'As you may see, we are mer-
chants,' replied Fleur, ' and on
our way to Babylon, but as to-
night it is too late to travel farther ,
can you tell us of any hostelry
where we and our horses may
stay the night?'

' Sir,' said the boatman, ' truly
I know of an inn to suit your
purpose, but the cause which
moved me to ask your journey's
purpose is, that not long ago we
ferried across this river a maiden
who resembled you in form and sadness, and by the people with
her she was called Blanchefleur ; this Blanchefleur was the fairest
creature ever seen ; and in my own house she told me that she
was loved by a heathen prince, and because of him had been
sold away into distant lands.'

Starting up in eager haste at sound of Blanchefleur's name,
Fleur cried, 'And whither went the maiden Blanchefleur on
leaving you ?'

'Young sir,' replied the boatman, as I have heard tell.

3°

THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLE UR 3 1

Blanchefleur was sold to the Admiral of Babylon, and he loved
her more than all his wives.'

At these tidings Fleur rejoiced ; but, fearing for his life, he let
drop no word of seeking Blanchefleur.

After lodging for the night in the ferry-house, Fleur asked
his host if he could commend him to any good friend in
Babylon for lodging and furtherance in his trade.

'Yes, truly that I can,' replied the boatman. 'At the entrance
to Babylon you will find a river, and on the river a bridge, and
on the bridge a toll-keeper, to whom, if you give this ring from
me, you will be welcome.'

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR 33

Chapter V

HAVING said adieu to the friendly boatman, Fleur pushed on
with such diligence that by eventide he reached the bridge
which guarded the approach to Babylon, and, on presenting the
ring to the toll-keeper, was by him kindly received and taken for
the night to his house in the city.

Next day, when Fleur went forth to view the city, and beheld
how great was the Admiral's might and how strong were the
town's defences, his heart fainted within him. 'Alas!' thought
he, ' I am now where Blanchefleur is, but what does that avail
me ? It was ill done to leave my father's house, where I might
have found another love, and even now 'twere best to turn and
save my life, for did the Admiral but hear of me I were a dead
man, seeing that not for all the treasure of all the world would
he give up my Blanchefleur ; so what seek I here, where I have
none to trust and no hope of help ?'

While Fleur yet stood thus rapt in melancholy meditation, his
host came up and thus accosted him : ' Friend ! why stand you
thus looking so ill-pleased 1 if any thing be amiss in your food
and lodging, tell me and it shall be mended.'

' Sir,' replied Fleur, ' all in your house is so well appointed that
my whole life were scarce long enough to give you thanks equal
to the service I have received; but, from fear of failing in the
business that calls me here, I am sorely troubled and distressed.'

' Let us first to dinner, and after that we will talk your matter
over,' said the host.

34 THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

So the two went home and sate them down to table ; hut Fleur,
marking that his servant had served him with the cup that was
Blanchefleur's price, was so pierced to the heart with sorrow at

the sight that the tears streamed from his eyes, and Lycoris, the
hostess, in pity for his pain, said to her husband Daries, 'Quick,
sir! let us clear the table, for this young man seeks other support
than food.'

So, when the table was cleared, Daries desired his guest to
declare his grief, if so be that help for it might be found in
counsel. But said Lycoris again: 'Sir, so far as I can judge by
his mien and bearing, I deem that this youth grieves for the
maiden Blanchefleur, who, now shut up in the Admiral's high
tower, spent two weeks with us in grievous sorrow of heart,
bewailing her sad fate in being thus sold away far from the
youth she loved, and for whose sake she shed many a tear and
heaved many a sigh ; and, as you may remember, sir, on leaving
us this Blanchefleur was bought by the Admiral for ten times
her weight in gold. Now, to my thinking, this youth is brother
or lover to the maiden Blanchefleur.'

' No brother but her lover am I !' cried Fleur in glad surprise ;
then bethinking him how by such heedless speech his life was

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

3 b

put in peril, he cried again: 'No! no! I don't mean that; I am
brother and not lover to Blanchefleur. We are children of the
same parents.'

'With all respect for your word, young sir, you contradict
yourself in one breath,' said Daries the host. 'Best speak the
truth out plainly as, forsooth, I now do in declaring that it were
madness to come in quest of the maiden Blanchefleur; for, if
the Admiral but hears of you, you are a dead man.'

' Sir,' said Fleur, ' hear the whole truth — I am son to the King
of Spain, and seek my stolen Blanchefleur, without whom I can-
not live ; help me to her, and I will give you gold to your heart's

36 THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

content, for ere another moon has waxed and waned, find her I
must or die.'

'Life,' rephed Daries, 'were ill lost for sake of a maiden,
whom no aid of mine can make your own, seeing that not, were
the whole world to help you, could Blanchefleur be taken from
the Admiral, Lord of a hundred kings, whose city Babylon is a
four-square of twenty miles, and has for its defence walls full
seventy feet in height, built of a stone so hard that no engine of
war from enemies without can pierce their stony front, and in
these walls are three-and-thirty doors of solid steel let in with
cunning art, and high uplifted are seven hundred towers, the
loftiest ever seen by mortal eye, and these towers are guarded by
seven hundred great lords, each one of whom is great as any
king; and if all these suffice not to prove the madness of your
quest, know that in the heart of the city a mighty castle stands;
four stories high is the castle, and on the fourth and topmost
dwells your Blanchefleur, together with four other noble damsels
in a fair chamber, whose windows are cased in wood of the
sweet-scented myrtle tree, while its doors are formed of ebony
that never yields to fire, and this ebony is overlaid with beaten
gold, on which are graven strange devices of words and scroll
and flower-work, and, because none but maidens dwell there,
this tower is called the Maidens' Tower. In its midst stands a
cr}^stal pillar, and from the pillar gushes forth a fountain, whose
waters are led on arches into ever}' room, and so back into the
pillar; and from the maidens' chamber a winding stair leads to
that wherein dwells the Admiral himself, and whither, for four-
teen days' service at a time, two maidens must wait morning and
evening on their Lord, one with a fair linen towel, the other
with water in a golden bowl. Fierce and cruel beyond words is
the watchman of this tower, and any man who, without good
and lawful cause, approaches it, he slays. Besides all this, the
tower day and night is guarded by sixteen furious men, who

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

37

never close their eyes in sleep ; and there is yet another strange
thing which you shall hear.

' Every springtide the Admiral takes to him a wife ; and when
the year is out, he calls to him all the lords, kings, and princes
of his realm, and in their presence casts off his wife, and causes
a knight to behead her, that no man may wed her after him ; thus
with the bitterness of an early death does she pay for the fleet-
ing honour of royal wedlock; and when his wife is dead, the

38 THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

Admiral, with intent to replace her with another, summons the
maidens who are within the tower to appear before him in a
garden, which trembling they enter, none coveting the fatal
honour of his choice. This garden, which walls of gold and lapis- -
lazuli enclose, contains noble trees of every kind, so that in it
may be found at all seasons even,' fruit known to mankind;
precious spices also abound, such as ginger, cinnamon, balm,
cloves, nutmeg, and mace; all which, together with the scent of
flowers and the song of birds, makes of this garden a very earthly
paradise. In the midst of this paradise gushes forth a spring of
clear water, and overhanging the spring is a tree, ever green and
ever putting forth fresh blossoms and varied fruits.

' Beneath this tree the Admiral, surrounded by his lords, takes
his seat; and when seated, he causes the maidens one by one to
cross the stream before him ; if thev be good maidens and true
the water remains clear as crystal, but if it turn dark and turbid
they may prepare for death. This ordeal passed, the Admiral
calls the maidens before him beneath the blooming tree, which
by magic art drops one of its rosy blossoms on her whom its Lord
loves best, and who accordingly becomes Queen for one fleeting
year. Now, dear youth, bethink you what wise man would cheer
you on in the quest of Blanchefleur, seeing that, ere this very
month be out, the Admiral will hold his marriage feast with a
new-made wife, who all say will be this Blanchefleur, whose
loveliness has w'on his heart ? IVIoreover, for some time past, it
is she and Clarissa, her companion, who have been called to
wait on their Lord, morning and evening, with the linen towel
and the gokien bow 1 ; for which cause they live in daily terror
of being chosen, the one or other, to be his crowned victim.'

'Oh good mine host!' cried Fleur, goaded to madness by
what he heard, 'help me with your counsel how to act. My
Blanchefleur will I claim within that garden, for she is mine,
and mine alone. What if I die ? Death for her sake is sweet, as

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR 39

it but sends me on before to that fair paradise whither her soul
will follow mine, to dwell for ever amid the flowers.'

'Young man,' said the host, 'by your readiness to brave all
perils — nay, even death itself — for sake of your dear love, I see
that you are steadfast of purpose ; and therefore, though perilling
my own life thereby, I will give you counsel which, if followed,
shall not turn to your hurt.' So saying, Daries took Fleur aside,
and in secret unfolded to him a plan, which Fleur accepting with
grateful heart foUow-ed out in such wise as the coming chapter
will record.

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

41

Chapter VI

ARISING betimes next day, Fleur, as instructed by his host,
L. arrayed himself with great magnificence, and in this bravery

of attire started for the Maidens' Tower. When come there, he
set with great seeming earnestness and diHgence to measuring
the tower's dimensions of height, depth, length, and breadth;
soon, however, his business was rudely interrupted by the watch-
man, who, catching sight of this measuring stranger, shouted at

42 THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

him for a spy, asking by what right or by whose leave he came
there to meddle with the tower of the Lord High Admiral of
Babylon.

Unabashed by this rough reception, Fleur replied in easy,
careless phrase: 'Friend, the shape and form of your tower
please me so well that 1 am taking their dimensions, with intent,
on returning to my own land, of building me such a tower to be
my treasure-house; and taking this one of yours to be used for
the like purpose, I would fain seek admittance to examine it
within as well as without, which admittance might indeed be
granted to me without fear by you and your Lord, seeing that
I am wealthier than the two of you put together.'

'In mistrusting this man I erred,' thought the watchman;
'for, indeed, such rich attire would ill become a spy.' So, after
putting some searching questions to test his quality, the watch-
man, eased of doubt by the ready answers he received, invited
the stranger to step into his house and play a game of chess;
and when Fleur, accepting the challenge and invitation, was
come in, his host and opponent said, 'Now, sir, say what shall
be the stakes ^

'A hundred byzants a side,' said Fleur.

' Done with you !' cried the host ; and when, at his call, a chess-
board of ebony and ivory was brought, the two sate down to play.

Now Fleur wore upon his finger that priceless ring, his
mother's parting gift, and in playing took heed to keep its gem
turned outwards towards his opponent, who, seeing, coveted the
jewel; and by keeping his eye on it and off the board, speedily
lost the game, and with it, to his fury , the double stakes ; but Fleur,
forewarned by the friendly Daries that his antagonist's greed of
gain equalled his love of chess, refused to take the winnings,
and was accordingly invited by the grateful loser to come and
play a return match on the morrow. Fleur accepted the challenge,
and next day staking two hundred byzants against as many on

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

43

the watchman's side, he again contrived, by help of the ring,
to win the game and stakes, and as before handed over the latter
to his antagonist, who, equally amazed and delighted by such
unwonted liberality, declared himself ready to perform any ser-
vice for so generous a player. Next day the stakes rose to four
hundred byzants on either side, and were won by Fleur, who
promptly relieved the horror of his host at such heavy loss by
handing over to him the entire eight hundred. Overcome by such
liberality, the watchman invited his noble opponent to a collation
in his chamber on the following day ; and when Fleur thus bidden
appeared, he brought with him his splendid drinking-cup, and
placed it on the board before him.

The watchman, unable to keep his eyes off the cup, so greatly
did he admire it, offered, if his guest would play him for it, to
stake a thousand byzants on his side.

' Sell or game away the cup I may not,' replied Fleur; 'but for
help in the time of need I will freely give it.'

Then, overcome by greed of so goodly a gift, the watchman
swore to Fleur that he would be his man, and do service good
and true, whensoever and howsoever he might be called on.

44 THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

Having thus made sure of the guardian of the tower, Fleur
phiinly said that he must find his way within to his beloved or die.

'Ah, friend!' cried the watchman, sorely repenting him of his
rash promise ; ' I fear me your riches have lured me on to the
destruction of us both ; nevertheless, the word that I have given
I will keep, so return now to your lodging, and there abide for
two days; and on the third, which will be May Day, come again
to me, all clad from head to foot in rosy- red, and you shall be
borne up to the topmost story of the tower where Blanchefleur
dwells.'

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR 45

Chapter VII

AT the bidding of his watchman friend Fleur went back
L to his lodging, and there in hope and joy abode for two
long days ; and when the third, which was May Day, dawned, he
arose and clad himself from head to foot in rosy red and hasted
to the tower; and when he came to the guard-room, he found a
great basket on the floor, and heaped up around the basket were
all the fresh-blown flowers of spring that the watchman had
caused to be gathered from the gardens of Babylon, as May-
Day offering to Blanchefleur.

' Sir,' said the watchman, ' here lay you down within the basket
and stir not.'

So when Fleur was laid down flat and still, within the basket,
the watchman put a hat of red upon his head, and, this done,
covered him all over with piles of flowers. This done, he called
two strong porters and said, 'Carry up this basket of flowers as
my May-Day offering to the maiden Blanchefleur, and when
you have presented it, tarry not, but come again to me.'

46

THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

So the porters, obedient to their officer, took up the basket
and began to ascend the stairs; but ere they were half-way up,
they began to halt and curse, vowing that never in all their days
had they carried such heavy flowers; and when at length the
top was reached, thcv mistook the chamber, for they knocked
at Clarissa's door, shouting, 'Here, open! to receive the watch-
man's May-Day ofi^ering to the maiden Blanchefleur.'

And at the sound of Blanchefleur's name Clarissa ran and
opened wide the door; but without telling the porters of their
error, she suff"ered them to bring their flowery burden in and
then depart. When they were gone, Clarissa came and took from
the basket a flower that pleased her, whereupon Fleur, thinking

she was Blanchefleur, sprang out, and so startled the maiden
that she cried in fright : ' Oh ! what is that ? Oh ! what can that
be ?' And at her cr}- the other maidens came running in to know

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

47

what had affrighted Clarissa, their companion, but Fleur they
marked not, because he had laid him down again beneath the
blossoms, and, being clothed in rosy red, was not distinguished
from the roses which were his bed ; then Clarissa, calling to mind
how often she had heard Blanchefleur speak of a youth in Spain
of form and face resembling her own, bethought her that this
May-Day offering might be the Spanish love of Blanchefleur;
so with a laugh she dismissed the maidens who were her fellows,
saying that a hornet springing out from amid the flowers had
frighted her. Reader, picture to yourself the terror of Fleur on
finding he was discovered! But fortune was kind, for Clarissa,
the captive daughter of a Duke of Alemannia, was the bosom

48

THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

friend of lovely Blanchefleur, and often had the two together
bemoaned their lot in being the pair appointed to wait morning
and evening on the Admiral with the linen hand-towel and water
in the golden bowl.

Now as the ehambers of these two maidens adjoined, and a door
led from the one into the other, Clarissa with care closed her
outer door and passed through the inner one into the chamber
of Blanchefleur, whom she found sitting all woebegone and
rapt in thought of her absent love.

' Blanchefleur !' cried Clarissa, ' come with me and I will show
you flowers such as you never saw before.'

'Alas! Clarissa,' replied the mournful, drooping Blanchefleur,

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

49

'my heart is too heavy to be cheered by flowers, seeing that I
am so far from my love and he from me.'

'Cease your waiUng,' cried Clarissa, 'and dear as your love
may be, yet come and see the lovely flowers !'

So Blanchefleur slowly rising came to see the flowers, where-
upon Fleur, who heard the voice and knew his love was near,
sprang from among the blossoms, all clad like the roses in rosy
red, and Blanchefleur knew him, and he knew her, and they gazed
speechless with love and joy face to face upon each other, and
silently they fell on each other's neck with kisses and fond em-
braces, until at length Blanchefleur found words to say, ' Clarissa !
behold my love! my heart's delight, my comfort, and my joy!'
Then the two joined in praying good Clarissa not to part their
love by declaring it, as that would be their death.

' Have no fear,' replied Clarissa ; ' I will help you as best I can ;
the food and wine that are brought for two will suffice for three,
and you will find me ever true.'

Then the two lovers went
into Blanchefleur's chamber,
and sitting them down upon
the bed , which was spread with
a gold-embroidered silken
cover, they told each other all
that had befallen them since
their parting.

'Ah, love!' sighed Fleur,
'what have I not suffered for
your sake ? I had well-nigh
died of sorrow.'

'And I,' said Blanchefleur,
'since the day on which you
departed to Montorio, have
known no joy, but have gone

G

50 THE SWEET AND TO UCHING TALE OF

mourning for my love;' and then again the lovers kissed each
other, and Fleur showed Blanchefleur tlie ring, his mother's
parting gift, and told her of its magic power.

Meanwhile good Clarissa, trembling lest the secret of her friend
should be betrayed, guarded it with jealous care as though it had
been her own: so these three lived and ate and drank together,
letting no living soul share their secret, and the lovers, happy as
the day was long, would gladly thus have lived and died together,
but, alas ! the course of true love never can run smooth, and all
too soon was their joy turned into sorrow.

One morning Clarissa woke to find the sun already high in
the heavens; so, running in to Blanchefleur, she bade her too
arise, as it w^as late, and full time that both were in attendance
on their Lord.

'Go on before,' said Blanchefleur, half-waking and half-
dreaming, ^ and I will follow;' and she came not, but fell asleep
again. So when Clarissa, returning from the spring with her
golden bowl, again knocked, and this time got no answer, she
hasted to the Admiral, thinking to find Blanchefleur gone on
before to him, but she found her not.

'Why tarries Blanchefleur?' asked the Admiral, wondering
that Clarissa came alone.

'Sire,' said Clarissa, 'all through the night, Blanchefleur was
reading in her psalter and praying long life for you, and towards
the morning she fell asleep and slumbers still.'

'That,' said the Admiral, well pleased, 'was a good work, and
as reward for it Blanchefleur shall be my bride.'

Next morning the same thing happened. x\gain Clarissa
overslept herself, and on w^aking found the sun already high
in the heavens ; again she called to Blanchefleur to make ready
while she filled her golden bowl with water at the spring, and
again Blanchefleur, half-waking and half-dreaming, replied,

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR 51

'I come,' and came not, but fell back in slumber, so that
Clarissa on hasting to their Lord found no Blanchefleur there.

'Where,' again asked the Admiral, 'is Blanchefleur?'

' Sire,' said Clarissa, ' I called in passing at her door ere filling
my golden bowl with water at the spring, and Blanchefleur said
she would be here before me.'

In some surprise the Admiral then bade a chamberlain go see
why Blanchefleur tarried : so the chamberlain hasted to Blanche-
fleur's chamber, which was all ablaze with precious stones, and
there, locked in each other's arms, found Fleur and Blanchefleur,
and, taking Fleur in his tender beauty to be Clarissa, the chamber-
lain had not the heart to wake the two, but hasted back to tell
his Lord how sweetly Blanchefleur and Clarissa slept, and, lo!
Clarissa stood before him.

As for the Admiral, he turned white with fury.

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

53

C//a/>ter VIII

GIVE me my sword,' cried the Admiral, 'and with it I will
soon find who is this feigned Clarissa, for here the true
one stands before me.' So saying, the furious Lord went with
the chamberlain to Blanchefleur's chamber, and when the thick
silken curtains were drawn aside and the bright sunlight streamed
in, he beheld the sleeping pair, and so fair was Fleur that even
the Admiral in his fury doubted if he were not a maiden, but all
the same with uplifted sword he prepared to smite both Fleur

54 THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

and Blanchefleur to the death, when suddenly they awoke, and
seeing before them this furious Lord with upHfted sword they
shed bitter tears, well knowing that they must die. ' Miscreant !'
cried the Admiral to Fleur, 'who are you, and how dared you
enter into my Tower ? For so doing you shall die the death.'

'Have mercv, sire,' said Fleur, 'on the maiden Blanchefleur
and on me, for we love each other with a love more true and
tender than has e'er been known before !'

Then came forward the chamberlain and prayed his Lord to
spare the captives that they migiit have due trial for their
offence.

To this respite the Admiral consented, but, fearing lest the
prisoners might escape, he commanded that they were to be
bound with ropes until by the lords of all the land sentence
should be passed upon them. Now as the Admiral's yearly
wedding festival was near at hand, the great lords of the realm,
such as kings, dukes, counts and barons, were already assembled
in Babylon ; so they appeared without delay at the summons of
their Lord in his glorious hall, which for splendour could not
have been matched by Priam, King of Troy, for it was a full mile
square, and cr\'stal pillars supported its lofty dome. When, there-
fore, the Admiral was enthroned in majesty with all his lords
around him, silence was commanded, while he thus addressed
the assembly:

'My lords, hearken unto me, your King, and pass a sentence
on these prisoners that will redound to my honour and your own.
Behold this Blanchefleur, whom for a great price of ten times
her own weight in gold I bought, thinking to promote her to
honour by taking her as my one and only wedded wife on the
day appointed for my marriage festival, and until that day came,
that my eyes might be gladdened by her beauty, I brought her
into my Maidens' Tower and ordained that she and Clarissa,
her companion, should wait morning and evening upon me with

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

SS

a fair linen towel and water in a golden bowl; yet scarce had this
Blanchefleur been for four months within my Tower than she
betrayed me for another, whom with herself I had in righteous
indignation well-nigh slain. So now, my lords, it is for you
to pass judgment just and unbending upon these offenders.'

Responding to the call of their King and Admiral, these lords
with one consent passed sentence of death upon the prisoners,
though differing among themselves as to the execution of the
same. Some were for hanging, others for the bow-string, while
others again proposed that the culprits should be torn asunder
by wild horses; most, however, were in favour of burning, or
perhaps drowning with a heavy stone round the neck : on one
point, however, all agreed — viz. that the guilty pair must die.

Then arose a certain king, Aliers by name, and thus spoke.
' It is a shame and disgrace,' said he, 'to hear in a royal court

56 THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

such babel of voices, each crying for a different opinion. Be so
good, my lords, as to depute one among you to speak for all.
Moreover, having now heard the accusation of His Highness, it
is but just to listen to the prisoners' defence.'

'Not so,' cried Rasier, King of Arabia, 'not so, my lords.
If these prisoners have betrayed our I^ord the Admiral, let them
die unheard, like thieves caught in the act and punished red-
handed without form of trial.'

The Admiral now commanded the prisoners to be produced,
who when they appeared were very sad, regarding each other
with tender pity.

'My Lord,' said Fleur to the Admiral, 'being guilty I am
prepared to die, but spare my Blanchefleur, for she is innocent,
seeing that without her knowledge I came within your Tower.'

' My Lord,' cried Blanchefleur, * the guilt is mine, for had I not
been in your Tower never would Fleur have sought to enter it.
Moreover, it were shame that a king's son should die for me,
who am but the daughter of his handmaid.'

' Not so, my Lord,' cried Fleur again ; ' let me die, that Blanche-
fleur may live.'

' Be easy,' said the Admiral, ' for with my own hand I will slay
you both.' So saying, he made for the prisoners with his drawn
sword, whereupon Bhinchefleur sprang foi-ward and offered her
neck for the blow, but was dragged back by Fleur, who with
indignant tears exclaimed: 'What! Shall I, to my shame, suffer
you, a woman, to die for me, who am a man, before the eyes of
this great assembly r And so saying, Fleur extended his neck in-
stead for the death-blow, but Blanchefleur in turn pulled him
back by his clothes and ran in before him, holding out her neck.
Thus for some time these lovers strove, each seeking to die before
the other, until for pity the lords began to weep, and even the
Admiral, feeling his heart relent, let the sword drop from his
hands.

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR 57

Then stepped forward a certain Duke, and in the'name of all
present made earnest petitions for the prisoners' lives. 'Me-
thinks,' said he, 'that for the safety and honour of our Lord
the Admiral 'twere best to spare the prisoners, whose death would
profit him not, whereas by freeing them on condition that Fleur
revealed in what wise he stole into the Tower, His Highness may
discover and punish his unfaithful servants.'

The Admiral, marking that all his lords were inclined to
mercy, agreed to this Duke's proposal and offered their lives^to
the captives if Fleur would but tell how he made his way into
the Tower.'

' That, sire, repHed Fleur, ' I may only do under promise of
pardon to those who were my helpers.'

' No ! no !' cried the Admiral, furious at the thought of further
mercy. 'They shall all die, every man among them,'

Then came forward a Bishop, who, faUing at the Admiral's
feet, entreated that the gracious mercy of His Highness might
be extended to all concerned ; 'for,' said the Lord Bishop, 'it
would please the assembled company better to hear the prisoners'
story than to behold their death.' These words of the Bishop
were supported by all the lords, who with one acclaim called
on their King and Admiral to pardon the prisoners at the prayer
of his faithful subjects. So the Admiral gave ear to the prayer
of his lords and pardoned the lovers and all and sundry who
were their helpers, and when this was done Fleur arose and
told the whole sweet and touching story of Blanchefleur and
himself from the time of their birth up to the moment when they
were found together in the Tower, and when his tale was told
Fleur knelt down before the Admiral and entreated His Highness
with tears for the gift of Blanchefleur, for whose sake he had
done and sufi^ered so great things ; seeing, moreover, that with-
out her he could not live, nor indeed could she, if torn from
him, find life endurable.

H

SS THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

Then the Admiral took Fleur by the hand, and kissing him
bade him sit by his side as beseemed the son of a king, and taking
Blaneliefleur also by the hand His Highness said to Fleur:
' Friend, herewith I give and grant to you the maiden Blanche-
fleur, together with pardon full and free of all offence committed
by you against my kingly power and majesty.'

Overcome with joy and gratitude, those lovers sank at the feet
of their benefactor, who raised and kissed them, and after that
he made Fleur a knight according to the fashion of the land.

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

59

Chapter IX

Now when all had turned out thus happily for Fleur and
Blanchefleur, the Admiral proclaimed a great festival, and
in pomp and splendour led to church Clarissa, daughter of the
Duke of Alemannia, and there took her as his one and only
wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better for worse, to his
life's end : in the same church also and at the same time were

Fleur and Blanchefleur united in holy wedlock. Then came the
feast, at which the Admiral sat enthroned with his bride Clarissa
on one side, and Fleur and Blanchefleur on the other, and after
them all the lords of the realm, placed in order according to their
rank. When the banquet was over the wedding guests diverted

6o THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF

themselves with jousting, tilting, wresthng, and jumping matches,
not forgetting music and song, that lasted for davs together, and
while the merry-making was at its heiglit, behold ! there came
ambassadors bearing tidings from Spain that King Fenis and his
Queen were dead, and the mourning country stood in sore need
of the absent Fleur, heir and successor to the King deceased :
and at these heavy tidings the joy of Fleur was turned to sorrow,
and, seeking the Admiral, he prayed His Highness for permission
to depart to his own country, which so sorely needed its King
and ruler; but the Admiral, loath to part with the guest he had
learned to love, sought to persuade Fleur, by promise of a greater
and richer kingdom than his own, to give up land and people
and abide with him ; but when Fleur, whose heart was true to his
home and Spain, would not be tempted from his purpose, the
Admiral, commending his departing guests to the care of his gods,
speeded him on his way with many a rich and costly gift. Thus
did Fleur and Blanchefleur take their journey back again to Spain,
and when they were come the people received them with great
joy, and crowned Fleur King in the place of his father Fenis, and
Blanchefleur they crowned as Queen, and so this happy pair
lived on united in tender love together to their hundredth vear,
and when Fleur was made King he embraced the Christian faith
of his Blanchefleur, and caused all his people to become Christians
and receive baptism, and soon after these things Fleur inherited
the land of Hungary from his uncle, who died childless; but to
Fleur and his Queen Blanchefleur was born a daughter. Bertha
by name, who became wife to King Pepin of France, and mother
of Charles, that great Emperor whose fame is known throughout
the world.

FLEUR AND BLANCHEFLEUR

61

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children for years, is now introduced to English children, with a few de-
lightful Coloured Illustrations.

MY FAVOURITE NURSERY RHYMES.

With 12 Coloured and 50 Black and White Illustrations and a Coloured
End-paper and Cover by Maud Tindal Atkinson. E'scap. 4to, -s. 6d. net.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS. With 13 Coloured Illustrations and Specially
Designed Cover by Eleanor Fortescue Brickdale. Imperial 4to, 21s. net.

ONCE UPON A TIME : Eairy Tales of Long Ago. By CHARLES
PERR.A.ULT. With 8 Coloured Illustrations and End-papers bv Helen
Sinclair. E'scap. 4to, 6s. net.

THE SWEET AND TOUCHING TALE OF FLEUR AND
BLANCHEFLEUR : The Classic Tale of True Love Rewarded. With

37 Coloured Illustrations by Eleanor Eortescue Brickdale. Crown 4to,

7s. 6d. net

Loudon: ''Daniel O'Connor^ 90 Great 'I^iissell Street^ H'.C.x

PR Floire and Blancheflor
2065 The sweet and touching ta

F6 of Fleur & Blanchefleur
1922

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